Talking about safer sex and STDs

Abstract

Various studies have examined the extent to which communication about safer sex and sexually transmitted diseases influences the actual practice of safer sex. Researchers have examined communication about these topics between partners, and among parents and children. This study explored communication about safer sex and STDs outside partner or parent-child relationships. Data were collected using 132 undergraduate students. Participants completed surveys measuring the frequency with which they engaged in discussions of safer sex and STDs within the context of a variety of relationships. Research questions and hypotheses were addressed using analyses of variance, correlations, and paired-sample t-tests. Results indicate that individuals discuss safer sex and STDs most often (outside partner or parent-child relationships) with friends and health care providers. Communication about these topics was related to perceived and actual knowledge about safer sex and STDs, and self-efficacy. Implications of these results and future directions for research are also discussed.